Socio-economic Reasons for Obesity
The problem with obesity goes further then a simple issue of prevention. For many, the greatest barrier to weight control lies with socio-economic status. In the June 7, 2004 issue of Time magazine, there was an article entitled Not Too Rich or Too Thin by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen. The article cites studies that have shown that there is a direct correlation between obesity and family income-- the less money you have, the more likely you are to be overweight. 25% adults below the poverty level are obese. The effect is even more striking among minorities where 1 in 3 poor African Americans are obese.
This is contrary to conventional wisdom which might say that because of the lack of money individual living in poverty tend to be thin rather then obese. The truth to the matter is this issue has as much to do with socio-economics as it does with socio-geographics. The communities in which individuals living under poverty reside in are far different then communities in which you or I have grown-up in. These inner city communities do not have major grocery chains such as HEB or Randall's. Rather individuals who live in these communities are forced to primarily buy their groceries from convenience stores or even gas stations. Where apple flavored airheads are more plentiful then apples themselves. Fast food becomes a favorable option. The majority of the underprivileged do not work 9 to 5 jobs; they tend to work odd hours and hence time becomes a great commodity. Microwaving a hot dog is not only faster then grilling chicken but also cheaper. As well, individuals living in poorer communities not only do not have access to health clubs or gyms; the idea of having a jog around the neighborhood is unheard of because of the high crime rates surrounding these communities.
The people who are hurt most by this are the children. When parents are at work the babysitter tends to be television and a large pizza. By allowing children to play outside you run the risk of exposing your child to gangs and drug dealing. Urban schools are more likely to strike deals with vending machine companies and cut funding to physical education classes when money gets tight. Fighting obesity is difficult as it is. Adding poverty to the situation just deepens the problem. ....for more info.
This is contrary to conventional wisdom which might say that because of the lack of money individual living in poverty tend to be thin rather then obese. The truth to the matter is this issue has as much to do with socio-economics as it does with socio-geographics. The communities in which individuals living under poverty reside in are far different then communities in which you or I have grown-up in. These inner city communities do not have major grocery chains such as HEB or Randall's. Rather individuals who live in these communities are forced to primarily buy their groceries from convenience stores or even gas stations. Where apple flavored airheads are more plentiful then apples themselves. Fast food becomes a favorable option. The majority of the underprivileged do not work 9 to 5 jobs; they tend to work odd hours and hence time becomes a great commodity. Microwaving a hot dog is not only faster then grilling chicken but also cheaper. As well, individuals living in poorer communities not only do not have access to health clubs or gyms; the idea of having a jog around the neighborhood is unheard of because of the high crime rates surrounding these communities.
The people who are hurt most by this are the children. When parents are at work the babysitter tends to be television and a large pizza. By allowing children to play outside you run the risk of exposing your child to gangs and drug dealing. Urban schools are more likely to strike deals with vending machine companies and cut funding to physical education classes when money gets tight. Fighting obesity is difficult as it is. Adding poverty to the situation just deepens the problem. ....for more info.
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